Saturday, 27 April 2013

Stuttgart and Marrakech Final: Struggling Sharapova

Stuttgart final:

Maria Sharapova vs. Li Na

Sharapova has played 3 straight setters going into the final and she seems to be struggling on the red clay. However, she emerged as the winner despite her troubles and looks extremely eager to defend her title here in Stuttgart. Li on the other hand had a smooth passage into the final, winning all her matches in straight sets. She looks to be in ominous form and will definitely cause Maria some trouble. Their last meeting was in Melbourne, where Li shocked Sharapova easily in the semi-finals, so I believe Li has the confidence to do it again. Compounded with Maria's on court struggles, the Chinese should be able to bag her first title of the year.

Pick: Li in 2 sets

Marrakeck final:

Francesca Schiavone vs. Lourdes Dominguez Lino

For every match Lourdes Dominguez Lino wins, tennis dies a little. The diminutive Spaniard has the world's most unimaginative game ever and she can only win matches in small Mickey Mouse tournaments like these. Francesca seems to be back in form, handling her oppositions with relative ease. The crafty Italian should have enough tricks in her bag to take out the boring Dominguez Lino.